Students investigate how people have explained and responded to natural disasters across time, then turn that learning into original suspense stories centered on the question, “Can my main character, or group of main characters, survive that?” Through the Disaster Dash survival simulation, research into natural disaster myths and modern hazard case studies, and close study of suspense techniques and dialogue, they develop their ideas into a compelling narrative about survival. The work culminates into a hand-stitched storybook created with support from ArtReach, giving students an authentic product to share with families, friends, and the HTM community at a public showcase. This learning experience connects science, literacy, history, creativity, and decision-making through a real-world process with a meaningful audience.

Students will research natural disaster myths and modern hazard case studies, compare how different cultures and scientists explain these events, and use information from texts, videos, and simulations to explain survival and response choices. They will analyze mentor texts to study how authors build suspense through pacing, foreshadowing, sensory detail, sentence variety, and dialogue, then apply those techniques in an original narrative about characters facing a disaster. Throughout the project, students will plan, draft, revise, edit, and publish for a real audience, using peer and teacher feedback to strengthen clarity, tension, and character development. They will also reflect on choices made during the Disaster Dash launch and create a hand-stitched book with ArtReach that presents their story clearly and creatively for the community showcase.

Students will produce story plans, setting and character profiles, peer feedback notes, and revised typed suspense story drafts centered on whether their characters can survive a natural disaster. The final product is a hand-stitched suspense storybook featuring each student’s myth-inspired disaster narrative, polished dialogue, a designed cover, and an author page created with support from ArtReach. Students will also prepare showcase materials such as a display card or short author blurb to accompany their book at the community exhibition.

Kick off with Disaster Dash, a fast-paced computer survival simulation where students make split-second decisions during earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, or volcanic eruptions and track what helps a character survive or fail. Follow with a team debrief where students compare their choices to real survival responses and discuss how myths from different cultures explain those same events. Then reveal the challenge, “Can my main character, or group of main characters, survive that?” and have students sketch a first suspense story idea based on one disaster and one myth they want to explore.

Host a Suspense Story Showcase as a gallery-style evening for families, friends, and the HTM community, with students displaying their hand-stitched suspense storybooks on tables for guests to read and respond to. Students can stand by their books as authors, sharing their story choices, survival scenes, and bookmaking process with visitors. Include response cards or a guest feedback wall where visitors can note favorite moments of suspense, memorable characters, and strong design choices. Partner with ArtReach to help curate the display so the crafted covers, stitched bindings, and author pages are presented like a professional community exhibition.